Star chef Ahn Sung-jae has finally spoken out following allegations of a “wine swap.”
On the 14th, Ahn shared a photo from a magazine cover on his SNS, writing, “In a dizzying world, I try not to lose my center with gratitude.” He added, “I am grateful to everyone who believes in my sincerity.”
The post caught a lot of attention as it was uploaded just one day after news broke that his YouTube channel would be pausing operations.
Previously, on the 13th, Ahn’s production team stated, “We are carefully considering the overall operation and direction of the channel,” adding, “We will take a break for a while to reorganize our content.”
The controversy began last month with a post on an online community. The author claimed that after visiting Ahn’s fine-dining restaurant, Mosu Seoul, and ordering an expensive wine, they were served a different vintage instead of the 2000 vintage they were originally informed about.
As the issue spread, both Mosu and Ahn Sung-jae issued apologies through their official channels. Ahn explained it was a mistake caused by confusing the bottles, stating, “I am sorry for disappointing you with the insufficient service at the establishment.” The sommelier involved has since been removed from those duties.
However, the release of a new video on his YouTube channel on the same day as the apology sparked a debate among netizens regarding his sincerity. Public criticism has not subsided, as specific compensation plans have yet to be disclosed.
Meanwhile, Ahn Sung-jae previously boosted his public profile as a judge on the Netflix variety show Culinary Class Wars.
